Brassiere



April 14,' 1964 M LAGUZZ|- ETAL BRASSIERE Filed July 16, 1963 IN VENT ORS Mem A 4022/ AMV MAzrfcL/ BY Mac E. Zaad/Ns United States Patent O 3,128,770 BRASSIERE Mario Lagnzzi, Long Island City, NX., Ann F. Marteili, Ridgewood, NJ., and .lack E. Robbins, Larchmont, 113g., assignors to Poire/tte Corsets, Inc., New York,

Filed July 16, 1963, Ser. No. 295,338 2 Cinims. (Cl. 12S- 484) This invention relates to a brassiere and constitutes an improvement over our copending application Serial No. 127,009, led luly 26, 1961, entitled Brassiere, and a continuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 157,140 led December 5, 1961, and subsequently forfeited, entitled Brassiere A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved brassiere which will support, restrain, and divide the breasts of the wearer in an improved manner.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a brassiere which will afford maximum restraint and support at the points most requiring such restraint and support and at the same time be extremely comfortable and readily accommodate itself to the body movements of the wearer.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a brassiere having lace or inelastic breast cups provided interiorly with insert portions of elastic material which restrain the sides and undersides of the breast without extending the top thereof.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such an elastic insert portion which is comprised of a pair of diagonally disposed elastic inserts which cross each other beneath the breast, but are not connected to each other, the strips tapering to a V toward the bottom of the brassiere.

An additional specific object of the invention is the provision of a brassiere of this character wherein the elastic inserts are provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing strips, said reinforcing strips following the general contour of the insert and crossing each other without interconnection, except along the sides of the V-shaped or downwardly converging insert.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a brassiere which provides an improved contour of the breast at the lower portion thereof.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE l is a front elevational view of a brassiere constructed in accordance with the instant invention, certain concealed portions thereof being shown in dotted lines;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational View showing one breast cup from the inner side thereof with the elastic inserts positioned therein;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 on a reduced scale showing a modied form of construction.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the instant invention in detail, the brassiere comprises a pair of front or center cup sections or panels 14 and 15 which are substantially identical, and which will be more fully described hereinafter. Side sections or panels 16 and 17 are secured respectively on the opposite sides of sections 14 and 15 and are preferably comprised of lace or other suitable inelastic material. Rear sections or panels 18 and 19 are secured to the side sections 16 and 17, respectively, and are preferably comprised of elastic having a one-way stretch in a horizontal direction. End strips 20 and 21 are provided with opposed fastening means 22 and 23 for securing the brassiere about the body of the wearer in the rear in the conventional manner. Conventional straps 24 and 25 are secured respectively to the rear sections 18 and 19 as at 26 and 27 and the front sections 14 and 15 as at 28 and 29. Each of the straps is provided with a conventional buckle 30 and 31, of identical construction.

Vertically extending elongated pockets 32 and 33 contain stays of conventional reinforcing material and are positioned between the rear panels 18 and 19 and the side panels 16 and 17, respectively, while similar pockets 34 and 35 which also contain conventional stays are positioned between the front panels 14 and 15 and the side panels 16 and 17, respectively. The two front panels 14 and 15 are provided with confronting center strips 36 and 37 which are secured together centrally as by a line of zigzag stitching 38. A unitary horizontal band 39 is secured along substantially the full length of the brassiere as by lines of zigzag stitching 40, the band being particularly characterized by one-way stretch in a horizontal direction. The pockets 32 and 33 andv 34 and 35 and their associated stays extend downwardly the full height of the band 39, as best shown in FIG. 2. A binding strip 41 extends substantially the full horizontal length of the brassiere along the top thereof and lace edging 42 may be provided, if desired, over the top edges of the front and side panels.

The top edge of elastic strip 39 above the line of zigzag stitching 4t) is bound with a line of zigzag stitching 45.

Having now particular reference to the front panels or breast pockets, attention is directed particularly to the panel 15, a rear View of which is disclosed in FIG. 2.

' inelastic material which may, if desired, comprise two It is to be understood that the panel 14 is substantially identical but reversely positioned as regards the panel 15 which will hereinafter be described in detail. The front of panel 15 is cupshaped and is formed of lace or similar layers of such material and is provided with a central reinforcing strip 50 from the top of which two diagonally disposed reinforcing strips of inelastic cloth 51 and 52 extend respectively to the strip portions 35 and 37 dening the edges of the center panel 15. The top of the panel comprises an outer upwardly extending portion 53 and an inner or central upwardly extending portion 54 which converge toward a relatively short flattened apex 55, to which is secured the end 29 of the strap 25.

Interior-ly of the pocket 15 there are provided a pair of elastic inserts, each comprised of one-way stretchable material which extends substantially along a horizontal line. The rst insert is designated generally by the reference numeral 56 and comprises such a strip of elastic material which includes a diagonally extending edge portion 57 which extends from the apex or top of the strip 35 to an intermediate point 58 on the opposed strip 37. From the point 58 a right angularly disposed edge 59 extends to a central point 60 relative to the bottom portion of front panel 15 and lying beneath the edge portion 45 of strip 39. An acutely angled diagonal 61 extends from the point 60 to an intermediate point 62 of the strip 35.

Secured to the inner side of the elastic insert 56 by suitable means such as zigzag stitching is a rst elastic strip 62 which extends substantially along the edge 57, a second similar elastic strip 63 which diverges downwardly from alignment with the strip 62, and extends between a point 64 on the strip 35 and an oppositely disposed point 65 on the edge 59. A third strip 66 extends in substanially parallelism to the strip 63 from the side strip 35 at an intermediate point 67 between the points 62 and 64, to a point 68 between the terminal points 59 and 60. All of the strips 62, 63, and 66 are made of elastic material which provides oneway stretch only in the same direction as that of the material of the irst insert 56. Each of the strips are positioned between the elastic insert and the adjacent outer lace panel.

A second insert, generally indicated at 70, comprises a diagonally disposed edge 71 which extends from the top of the strip 37 to the top of the strip 61 engaging with the strip 35 as at 62. The end of strip 70 is co-extensive with the bottom edge 61 of elastic insert 56, and the opposite edge portion is co-extensive with the edge 59 extending from the point 58 to the point 60 forming the V-shaped or pointed portion previously referred to. Reinforcing strips 72, 73, and 74 extend in the same relation as the previously described strips 62, 63, and 66 of the companion insert, the strip 73 crossing beneath the strip 62 at a substantially central point 80, it being noted that the two inserts 56 and 70 are completely unconnected except at their extremities so that each is free to stretch in oppositely diagonally disposed directions independently of the other.

FIGURE discloses a slightly modified form of cup structure in a brassiere which is otherwise similar to that previously described. In this construction each front panel, one of which is generally indicated at 115, is provided with an outer or side strip 134 and a center or inner strip 136 which confronts the inner strip 137 of an opposite panel 116, the strips being secured together by a line of zigzag stitching 138, and the bottom of the panel is secured to a horizontal band 140 which may be of elastic or inelastic material as desired, extending the full horizontal length of the brassiere. A binding strip 141 which may be edged with lace 142 extends along the top of the brassiere. The front of panel 115 is cup-shaped and is formed of lace or similar inelastic material, and may, if desired, be formed of two layers. A central reinforcing strip 150 extends upwardly from strip 14) to an intermediate point of panel 115 and downwardly extending inelastic diagonal reinforcing strips 151 and 152 extend from the top thereof to intermediate points on the outer strip 134 and inner strip 136, respectively.

A pair of generally quadrangular, one way stretch elastic inserts 156 and 170 are positioned interiorly of panel 115. Insert 156 comprises a first side or edge 156il secured to the outer or side strip 134 from its top to an intermediate point 162, a second side 161 extending angularly from the intermediate point 162 to the central reinforcing strip 150 at a point 150"L above bottom strip 140, in contrast to the preceding modification, a third side 159 from the point 150a at substantially a right angle to side 161 to an intermediate point 158 about halfway between central reinforcing strip 150 and center strip 136, and a fourth side 157 extending between the point 158, again distinguishing from the previous modification wherein the fourth side extends all the way to the center strip, to the upper end of first side 156a. The second and third sides 161 and 159 are stitched along their edges to panel 115, While the fourth side 157 is secured only at its ends but is otherwise free along its entire length.

The second one-way stretch elastic insert 170 includes a rst side 137a secured along its full length to center strip 137 and extending from the top of strip 137 to an intermediate point 137b thereof, a second side 158 extending from the point 137b to the point 150a on central reinforcing strip 150, a third side 1612L extending along the line of side 161 to an intermediate point 161b and secured along its full length thereto and a fourth side 171 extending from the point 161b to the top of center strip 137.

4 The second side 158 is secured to panel 115 by stitching and also secured to the aligned side 159 of insert 156. Fourth side 171 is secured only at its ends, the remainder being free, and crosses side 157 at a central point 180.

The inserts 156 and 170 are thus completely unconnected except along their contiguous sides or edges so that each is free to stretch independently of the other in diagonally opposed directions, in a manner similar to the previously described modification.

It will now be seen that the inner elastic inserts 56 and 70 together with their associated reinforcing strips are stretchable in a direction diagonally opposed to each other, and so arranged that they are completely without interconnection at their points of intersection either to each other or to the front panel 15. It will also be seen that the two inserts converge into a relatively sharp bottom point or V, and that by virtue of this arrangement the underside of the breast is so supported as to give complete uplift and form thereto without, at the same time in any way impeding the normal movements of the wearer or constricting the breasts during bodily movements.

It will also be seen that there is herein provided an improved hrassiere construction which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

l. In a brassiere construction, a pair of complementary front cup panels (I4-15), each having an inner side strip (36-37), said inner side strips being secured together at the center (38), and an outer side strip (3435), an inelastic side panel (I6- 17) secured to each outer side strip, and an elastic back panel (1S-19) secured to each side panel, complementary fastening means at the ends of the back panels (22-23), and an elastic bottom strip (39) extending substantially the full length of the brassiere, each front cup panel comprising an inelastic cup-shaped outer front panel (15) and a pair of one-way stretch elastic inserts (S6-70), each insert comprising a quadrangular member, one of said inserts (S6) having one side secured to a portion of said outer strip (35) extending from the top thereof to an intermediate point (62) thereof, a second side (61) extending angularly from said intermediate point to said bottom strip (39) at substantially the center (60) of the inelastic outer panel, and secured along its length to said outer panel, a third side (59) extending from said bottom strip at the center of the inelastic outer panel to an intermediate point (53) of said inner strip and secured to said inelastic panel and a fourth side (57) extending from said intermediate point of said inner strip to the top of said outer strip and being unsecured along its full length, the other of said inserts (70) having a iirst side secured to said inner strip (37) and extending from the top thereof to said intermediate point (58) thereof, a second side extending along and secured to the third side of said one insert, a third side extending along and secured to the second side of said one insert, and a fourth side (71) extending diagonally from said intermediate point (58) on said outer strip to the top of said inner strip (35), crossing said fourth side (57) of said one insert at an intermediate point between said inelastic outer panel and said one insert being unsecured to said inelastic panel and unsecured to said fourth side of said one insert (56) to permit relative movement of said fourth side (57) of said one strip and said fourth side (71) of said other strip and said inelastic panel (15) relative to each other.

2. In a brassiere construction, a pair of complementary front cup panels (114-115), each having an inner side strip (136--137 said inner side strips being secured together at the center (138), and an outer side strip (134), an inelastic side panel (1G-17) secured to each outer side strip, and an elastic back panel (1S-19) secured to each side panel, complementary fastening means at the ends of the back panels (Z2- 23), and a bottom strip (140) extending substantially the full length of the brassiere, each front cup panel comprising an inelastic cupshaped outer front panel (115) and a pair of one-Way stretch elastic inserts (156, 170) each insert comprising a quadrangular member, one of said inserts (156) havinge on side (1562*) secured to a portion of said outer strip (134) extending from the top thereof to an intermediate point (162) thereof, a second side (161) extending angularly from said intermediate point towards said bottom strip (140) at substantially the center (150) of the inelastic outer panel, and secured along its length to said outer panel, a third side (159) extending from the center (150) of the inelastic outer panel to an intermediate point (158) of said panel and secured to said inelastic panel and a fourth side (157) extending from the end of said third side to the top of said outer strip and being unsecured along its full length, the other of said inserts (17%) having a first side (137e) secured to said inner strip (137) and extending from the top thereof to an intermediate point (13'70) thereof, a second side extending from said last mentioned intermediate point along and secured to the third side (159) of said one insert, a third side (161%) extending along and secured to a portion of the second side (161) of said one insert, and a fourth side (171) extending diagonally from the end (161b) of said third side of said other insert to the top of said inner strip (137), crossing said fourth side (157) of said one insert at an intermediate point (180) between said inelastic outer panel (115) and said one insert being unsecured to said inelastic panel (115) and unsecured to said fourth side (157) of said one insert (156) to permit relative movement of said fourth side (157) of said one panel and said fourth side (171) of said other panel and said inelastic panel (115) relative to each other.

No references cited. 

1. IN A BRASSIERE CONSTRUCTION, A PAIR OF COMPLEMENTARY FRONT CUP PANELS (14-15), EACH HAVING AN INNER SIDE STRIP (36-37), SAID INNER SIDE STRIPS BEING SECURED TOGETHER AT THE CENTER (38), AND AN OUTER SIDE STRIP (34-35), AN INELASTIC SIDE PANEL (16-17) SECURED TO EACH OUTER SIDE STRIP, AND AN ELASTIC BACK PANEL (18-19) SECURED TO EACH SIDE PANEL, COMPLEMENTARY FASTENING MEANS AT THE ENDS OF THE BACK PANELS (22-23), AND AN ELASTIC BOTTOM STRIP (39) EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL LENGTH OF THE BRASSIERE, EACH FRONT CUP PANEL COMPRISING AN INELASTIC CUP-SHAPED OUTER FRONT PANEL (15) AND A PAIR OF ONE-WAY STRETCH ELASTIC INSERTS (56-70), EACH INSERT COMPRISING A QUADRANGULAR MEMBER, ONE OF SAID INSERTS (56) HAVING ONE SIDE SECURED TO A PORTION OF SAID OUTER STRIP (35) EXTENDING FROM THE TOP THEREOF TO AN INTERMEDIATE POINT (62) THEREOF, A SECOND SIDE (61) EXTENDING ANGULARLY FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE POINT TO SAID BOTTOM STRIP (39) AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE CENTER (60) OF THE INELASTIC OUTER PANEL, AND SECURED ALONG ITS LENGTH TO SAID OUTER PANEL, A THIRD SIDE (59) EXTENDING FROM SAID BOTTOM STRIP AT THE CENTER OF THE INELASTIC OUTER PANEL TO AN INTERMEDIATE POINT (58) OF SAID INNER STRIP AND SECURED TO SAID INELASTIC PANEL AND A FOURTH SIDE (57) EXTENDING FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE POINT OF SAID INNER STRIP TO THE TOP OF SAID OUTER STRIP AND BEING UNSECURED ALONG ITS FULL LENGTH, THE OTHER OF SAID INSERTS (70) HAVING A FIRST SIDE SECURED TO SAID INNER STRIP (37) AND EXTENDING FROM THE TOP THEREOF TO SAID INTERMEDIATE POINT (58) THEREOF, A SECOND SIDE EXTENDING ALONG AND SECURED TO THE THIRD SIDE OF SAID ONE INSERT, A THIRD SIDE EXTENDING ALONG AND SECURED TO THE SECOND SIDE OF SAID ONE INSERT, AND A FOURTH SIDE (71) EXTENDING DIAGONALLY FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE POINT (58) ON SAID OUTER STRIP TO THE TOP OF SAID INNER STRIP (35), CROSSING SAID FOURTH SIDE (57) OF SAID ONE INSERT AT AN INTERMEDIATE POINT BETWEEN SAID INELASTIC OUTER PANEL AND SAID ONE INSERT BEING UNSECURED TO SAID INELASTIC PANEL AND UNSECURED TO SAID FOURTH SIDE OF SAID ONE INSERT (56) TO PERMIT RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID FOURTH SIDE (57) OF SAID ONE STRIP AND SAID FOURTH SIDE (71) OF SAID OTHER STRIP AND SAID INELASTIC PANEL (15) RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER. 